tortoiseshell

noun tor·toise·shell \ ˈtȯr-tə-ˌshel , -əsh-ˌshel \

Updated on: 3 Apr 2018

Definition of tortoiseshell

1 : the mottled horny substance of the shell of the hawksbill turtle used especially formerly in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles

2 or tortoiseshell butterfly : any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genera Nymphalis and Aglais) that have wings mottled with orange and brown or black

See tortoiseshell defined for English-language learners

See tortoiseshell defined for kids

Recent Examples of tortoiseshell from the Web

The expecting mother let her accessories steal the show, sporting a scarlet handbag, tortoiseshell sunglasses and a pale gray felt fedora.

— megan decker, Harper's BAZAAR, "Queen Elizabeth’s Granddaughter Shows Off Her Baby Bump In Royal Maternity Fashion," 16 Mar. 2018
Hammer almost exclusively pairs his short-shorts with airy button-up shirts and tortoiseshell sunglasses.

— the editors of gq, GQ, "And the Oscar for Most Stylish Movie Goes To...," 4 Mar. 2018
Every day, armies of experts are fanning out to period rooms and homes, to stabilize delicate ebony and tortoiseshell inlays and flecks of gilding on furniture made before World War II.

— eve m. kahn, New York Times, "No, Your Furniture Shouldn’t Drip or Burst," 2 Mar. 2018
Harvest is a 6-year-old tortoiseshell cat with a great sense of independence.

— OregonLive.com, "5 cats ready to leave a Sherwood shelter and go home with you," 19 Dec. 2017
While both the shoe and bag felt made for fall, by adding an Hermès bangle in the brand’s signature orange, plus a pair of tortoiseshell Gucci sunglasses, the accessories worked together for a summer-into-fall feel.

— maria ward, Vogue, "How Catherine Zeta-Jones Remixes the Printed Maxi Skirt for Fall," 5 Oct. 2017
Take a basic example: When teaching beginners, a Go instructor might point out an odd-looking formation of stones resembling a lion’s mouth or a tortoiseshell (among other patterns) and discuss how best to play in these situations.

— dawn chan, The Atlantic, "The AI That Has Nothing to Learn From Humans," 20 Oct. 2017
Flat top sunglasses in a coordinating tortoiseshell finish brought the off-duty vibes full circle.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Pippa Middleton’s Affordable It Bag Was Designed by Suki Waterhouse," 9 Oct. 2017
Long before they were used as a form of identifiable status, Princess Grace of Monaco could be seen wearing examples set with coral, malachite, rock crystal, and tortoiseshell, most often stacked in twos or threes around her neck.

— claibourne poindexter, Town & Country, "How the Alhambra Necklace Became an Icon," 18 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tortoiseshell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tortoiseshell

1632

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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tortoiseshell

adjective

Definition of tortoiseshell

1 : made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in mottled brown and yellow coloring

tortoiseshell glasses

2 : of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat consisting of patches of black, orange, and cream

Recent Examples of tortoiseshell from the Web

Matchett also produces tortoiseshell hair accessories and has expanded into silver and gold stainless steel hoops too.

— emily farra, Vogue, "Get a Head Start on Holiday Shopping With This Line of Pretty, Affordable Tortoiseshell Earrings," 1 Nov. 2017
He was dressed casually but crisply, tortoiseshell glasses framing his face and a giant analog watch devouring his right wrist.

— jesse lichtenstein, New York Times, "A Whimsical Wordsmith Charts a Course Beyond Twitter," 15 June 2017

First Known Use of tortoiseshell

1651

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TORTOISESHELL Defined for English Language Learners

tortoiseshell

noun

Definition of tortoiseshell for English Language Learners

: the usually brown and yellow shell of a turtle that is used to make decorations
: a cat with yellow, orange, white, and black fur
: a usually brown and orange butterfly

TORTOISESHELL Defined for Kids

tortoiseshell

noun tor·toise·shell \ ˈtȯr-təs-ˌshel \

Definition of tortoiseshell for Students

1 : a hard brown and yellow material that covers the shell of a sea tortoise used especially in the past for ornamental objects

2 : a brightly colored butterfly

Learn More about tortoiseshell

See words that rhyme with tortoiseshell Spanish Central: Translation of tortoiseshell Nglish: Translation of tortoiseshell for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tortoiseshell

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tortoiseshell

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tortoiseshell

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TORTOISESHELL Defined for English Language Learners

tortoiseshell

Definition of tortoiseshell for English Language Learners

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tortoiseshell

Definition of tortoiseshell for Students

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tortoiseshell

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Recent Examples of tortoiseshell from the Web

First Known Use of tortoiseshell

TORTOISESHELL Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of tortoiseshell for English Language Learners

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